Rizzini Rhino Express 470NE Cracked Wood

[bohannon]

I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

 

[coreydb]

Don't fire the rifle until the wood is replaced or repaired be a 'smith! Hound the dealer to death if necessary; if still nothing, contact the rifle manufacturer direct.

 

[yhc]

Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.

 

[bohannon]

Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.

Ordered from battlehawk armory. Don't think they'll be much help, so I'll keep contacting Rizzini USA directly.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Contact Fierce Firearms. They have the import and distribution license for Rizzini

 

[bohannon]

Contact Fierce Firearms. They have the import and distribution license for Rizzini

Good to know, I'll pursue that route as well

 

[Woodcarver]

I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

View attachment 660761View attachment 660762

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

 

[Red Leg]

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.

 

[Challer]

The Rizzini US dealer is worthless. Rizzini needs to switch

 

[bohannon]

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

Excellent advice if Rizzini won't fix it. Thank you.

 

[Woodcarver]

Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.

Thanks. Should have mentioned that. Epoxy dyes come in virtually any color needed. Key in their use is, it only takes a tiny amount of dye. Do a test run for color check first.

 

[Bandera]

Another option is to find a local woodworker. We have a local guy that remade a stock for a SKB shotgun that my wife shoots.

 

[Spearhead]

@bohannon, just break it off and tell everyone it happened as you scurried up a tree due to buffalo charge. If you have any scars you can use them as proof to sell the story as well

Like the other guys have said, dyed epoxy. It would fill in the crack/separation, and the thin fiberglass or maybe get some carbon fiber shreds and reinforce the inside and you are good to go.
Lets us know how you solve it.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Contact the Fierce Firearms CEO, he had practically an info-mmercial on a Elephant hunt on youtube for Rizzini! I laughed as he was talking about how great the company is? See if He puts up or shuts up? My prediction will be absolute crickets from either or simply both companies pointing at the other for the fix, lots of emails and no action!
For your sake I hope I to be very wrong and it gets fixed ASAP. I am very jaded from dealing with Sabatti on a new 500 NE. Worst company ever!!! Hope its not pervasive with Italian companies, although the importer/distributer part is familiar? Keep us posted.

 

[Altitude sickness]

the value of a DR or any product is of course all the qualities that make you buy it in the first place. But, The unknown known is that after the sale many DR manufacturers seem to disappear or want nothing to do with the thing they created.

Just like the way to prove Diamonds are a scam. Is to try and sell a used Diamond.

The same holds for servicing a DR. IMHO opinion the real value is a combo of what you can actually re sell it for and if the company will correct the issue at all. Let alone in a timely manner. Relying on one guy in Oklahoma demonstrates the poor Real value of many brands.

 

[Rimbaud]

If you paid for the rifle with a credit card, contact the card company and stop payment. That should get everyone's attention right away.

 

[Manny R]

I would call Battlehawk armory and get the number of their rep with Rizzini. I would call him ask him to meet me at the store and in front of customers I would ask him where is my new gun because this one I BOUGHT AND NEVER SHOT HAS A CRACK IN IT.
I am sure that will get the attention of the owner at Battlehawk armory and customers in the store.

 

[bohannon]

@bohannon, just break it off and tell everyone it happened as you scurried up a tree due to buffalo charge. If you have any scars you can use them as proof to sell the story as well

Like the other guys have said, dyed epoxy. It would fill in the crack/separation, and the thin fiberglass or maybe get some carbon fiber shreds and reinforce the inside and you are good to go.
Lets us know how you solve it.

All emails to Rizzini USA have gone unanswered. I should probably start following up with phone calls, but the more i think about it, the more inclined i am to go with option 1 above - use it until it chips off and don't worry about it since it's strictly cosmetic. Doesn't really instill a lot of confidence should there be some other issue down the road, but hopefully that's a non-issue Like i said before, the gun is intended to be a user so it will get more dings and scuffs eventually.

 

[BeeMaa]

the value of a DR or any product is of course all the qualities that make you buy it in the first place. But, The unknown known is that after the sale many DR manufacturers seem to disappear or want nothing to do with the thing they created.

Just like the way to prove Diamonds are a scam. Is to try and sell a used Diamond.

The same holds for servicing a DR. IMHO opinion the real value is a combo of what you can actually re sell it for and if the company will correct the issue at all. Let alone in a timely manner. Relying on one guy in Oklahoma demonstrates the poor Real value of many brands.

Sad but true.

I’ve seen this play out with several brands including the likes of VC who seem to be very well respected. Except when it comes to fixing what are obvious warranty issues.

This is also one of the many reasons I will likely never own one.

 

[Bandera]

Interesting post, the lack of customer service is baffling. One buys a $15000 rifle and has terrible CS experience.